The Fairy Pools are one of Skye’s most famous spots for tourists to visit. After my visit, I can completely understand why! Beautiful crystal clear waters, with a dramatic backdrop of the Black Cullin Mountains. If you are feeling brave enough, you can even take an icy cold dip. I have to say, I missed this bit out! It was a very bitter day on our visit. My woolly hat barely left my head, never mind my clothes for a dip.
Did you know the Fairy Pools attract selkies? Well if you didn’t, you do now! Also apparently, the name ‘Fairy Pools’ came from a local Clan MacLeod chief who married a fairy princess.
The walk to and from the Fairy Pools is only a short one, along a well-marked path. We decided to make the route a circular walk, getting us away from the tourist crowds. If you have the time, I definitely recommend this route!
The route is just over 5 miles if you walk it from where we parked the van. If you are parking in the Fairy Pool car park, it will be slightly shorter. It’s not a difficult walk, but navigation can be tricky at parts, as the path isn’t always visible. My advice is to keep an eye on where you are on your map at all times.
Correct mountain clothing and equipment are needed to do this walk. A good pair of walking boots, warm clothing, food and drink, an OS map, and a first aid kit. Even though you are not climbing a mountain, once you leave the main tourist path to the Fairy Pools, the path isn’t as well-marked and the weather can suddenly change. At the end of the day, you are in the mountains, even if you are not going up high. So expect mountain weather and mountain terrain.
Location
The Fairy Pools are located on the road towards Glenbrittle, West of Skye. The nearest village is Carbost.
Parking
There is a trust car park for the Fairy Pools. The car park does cost, however, the money does go towards the upkeep of the area. We actually parked just up the road from the car park, in a free car park in the forest. It was where we had camped the night, so we decided to leave our camper van there. The walk from the car park in the forest to the start of the Fairy Pool trailhead was less than a mile.
The Route
Follow this map, as you walk the route, you shouldn’t get lost! Make sure your location is turned on and you should be able to see exactly where you are, on this map. Or if you prefer, download the GPX file and use it on your choice of route tracker.
Please note this route starts at the car park in the forest and not the Fairy Pool car park. If you are parking in the Fairy Pool car park, you will need to miss the first and very last bit of the route off.
1.
Starting at the car park in the forest, turn towards your left-hand side. Head downhill along the road towards the Fairy Pool car park/start of the trailhead. Both the car park and the trailhead are clearly signposted. The car park should be on your right-hand side and the trailhead should be on your left-hand side.
2.
Take the trailhead and follow the footpath to the Fairy Pools, crossing over some stepping stones along the way.
3.
Carry on along the footpath leading you up past the pools and towards the Black Cullins. Eventually, you will see a footpath going off to your left-hand side. Take the footpath and follow it carefully across the mountainside. Please take care, the path along here wasn’t very well-marked.
4.
Eventually, you will reach a path junction. Take the path going off to your left-hand side and follow it back down the valley, towards the start of the Fairy Pool trailhead. If your car is parked in the car park in the forest, turn towards your right-hand side and head up the road back to the car park. If you are parked at the Fairy Pool car park, your walk will finish here.
To see this walk in action, please head over to our YouTube channel: The Adventurous Pair: https://youtu.be/Kma1JKYxjdg?si=fueojwgtd2u-n0Ax
Enjoyed this walk and would like to do another walk on the Isle of Skye, please check out some of my other walking guides:
For more information about Skye, where to stay and eat, please check out their website: https://www.isleofskye.com/
